Spokes | Resources for Nonprofits

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Membership

IMPORTANT!
Spokes is not accepting new memberships at this time.

Already a Spokes Member? Get to know your benefits here.

Considering Spokes Membership? You have options!

Nonprofits come in all sizes and have support teams at all levels of experience. Whether you’re just getting started or a fully established community resource, Spokes has a membership just right for you.

  • Organizational Membership is just right when your nonprofit is already rolling and in need of additional support, up-to-date info, and resources as you grow, improve or maintain your busy organization.
  • Individual Membership is available for nonprofit professionals between positions or board members who sit on multiple boards and want to improve their personal skills. Whether you’re a nonprofit professional or you support nonprofits, you’ll enjoy members-only perks and resources.
  • First Gear Membership is designed specifically for individuals and groups considering starting a nonprofit, or in the first 12 months of operations. This six month membership provides you with customized support to assist you in establishing your organization


$300 Organizational Membership — Join here

Annual membership available to your entire board, staff, and volunteers

An annual Organizational Membership cost is just $300 and is just right when your nonprofit in need of additional support, up-to-date info, and resources as you grow, improve or maintain your busy organization.   

  • Workshop coupons to attend 2 workshops of your choice – $60+ value. Any staff member, Board member or volunteer associated with your organization can use them!
  • Best Practice in Nonprofit Management video series and follow-up consultation – $150 value
  • Foundation Directory Online (a $2,400)
    Get access to this premiere grants seeking database at no extra charge because Spokes purchases access to the database and shares it with members. Gain remote access with an annual one-week pass to the Foundation Directory Online database so that you can do grants research from your home or office when you aren’t able to come to Spokes.
  • MyBoardPacket offers  an online Board Portal to store your corporate documents, financials and policies, assemble board packets, and track electronic voting all in one secure location.
  • Monthly Executive Director/CEO Roundtables
    Join fellow Executive Directors/CEOs on the first Thursday of each month (11:30am to 1:00pm) for a catered roundtable discussion. This peer-to-peer network offers shared experiences, advice, and support to help executive managers in their uniquely challenging role. Only Spokes member EDs/CEOs may attend.
  • Bi-monthly Board President / Board Chair Roundtables
    Join other Board Presidents for a catered, peer-to-peer roundtable discussion on the first Wednesday of every other month. This is an opportunity to present a specific topic/need to the group and solicit feedback, suggestions, and guidance from fellow Board Presidents. Only Spokes member Board Presidents may attend, and lunch is included. This event is always free!
  • Standards for Excellence Tool
    The Standards for Excellence Organizational Assessment and Implementation Planning Tool© ensures your organization is meeting all compliance, ethics and accountability standards.  This tool is an easy “roadmap” and checklist your Board of Directors can use to focus their governance efforts. See more details.
  • Online Resource Library
    Get copies of essential operating documents, such as Conflict of Interest Policies, Contractor Agreements, IRS regulations for raffles, and hundreds more – from your home or office 24/7!
  • Spokes Resource Library
    Visit our Hub to check out books on fund development, board development, financial management, collaboration, marketing and public relations, personnel management, volunteer management and more. Get access to recent issues of various periodicals, including Harvard Business Review and the Grassroots Fundraising Journal.  Access to Foundation Directory Online year long through Resource library computers.
  • Spokes Meeting Facilities
    Schedule a Board/staff meeting, retreats or trainings in our private conference room at no charge; schedule in advance as availability is limited.
  • Medal of Merit Award Program
    Complete a Standards for Excellence (SFX) Assessment, adopt two resolutions to improve your organization, and you are well on your way for qualifying for Spokes’ annual Medal of Merit Award. These grants are awarded at our annual Spokes Salutes Event.


$125 Individual Membership — Join here

Annual membership for one individual

Individual Membership is available for those with a special interest in the nonprofit world. Whether you’re a nonprofit professional or you support nonprofits, you’ll enjoy members-only perks and resources. An annual Individual Membership cost is just $125.

  • Standards for Excellence Tool
    The Standards for Excellence Organizational Assessment and Implementation Planning Tool© ensures your organization is meeting all compliance, ethics and accountability standards.  This tool is an easy “roadmap” and checklist your Board of Directors can use to focus their governance efforts. See more details.  (2008-2009 Standards for Excellence Institute)
  • Foundation Directory Online (a $1,245 value)
    Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is THE premiere grants seeking database. Membership includes unlimited access to Foundation Directory Online on our Resource Library Computers. A (1) one-week remote access codes can be purchased for only $40 so that you can access the database from your home or office!
  •  Spokes Training
    Spokes offers regular workshops, roundtables and certificate series designed to help participants develop their professional and leadership skills.  Our various training sessions are designed to train your executive director, staff, volunteers, and Board Members to better manage and lead your organization. As a member you receive discounted rates to all of our trainings.
  • Access to 1:1 Consulting
    Sometimes you may need a little help to tighten your spokes – a little extra staffing, expertise or objectivity. That’s why we are pleased to offer our members specialized consulting services to help them solve problems, develop plans for the future, and navigate through unexpected challenges. Click here for our most current offerings.
  • Monthly Executive Director/CEO Roundtables
    Join fellow Executive Directors/CEOs on the first Thursday of each month (11:30am to 1:00pm) for a brownbag roundtable discussion. This peer-to-peer network offers shared experiences, advice and support to help executive managers in their uniquely challenging role. Only Spokes member EDs/CEOs may attend and the event is always free! We define an Executive Director as a paid or volunteer staff person that manages the daily operations of a nonprofit organization. If your organization is functioning under the direction of a board and you are the top manager within your organization, you are welcome to attend this event.
  • Bi-Monthly Board President Roundtables
    Join other Board Presidents for a peer-to-peer brownbag roundtable discussion. This is an opportunity to present a specific topic/need to the group and solicit feedback, suggestions and guidance from fellow Board Presidents. Only Spokes member Board Presidents may attend and the event is always free!
  • Online Resource Library
    Get copies of essential operating documents, such as Conflict of Interest Policies, Contractor Agreements, IRS regulations for raffles, and hundreds more – from your home or office anytime!
  • Spokes Resource Library
    Check-out books on fund development, board development, financial management, collaboration, marketing and public relations, personnel management, volunteer management and more. Get access to recent issues of various periodicals, including Harvard Business Review and the Grassroots Fundraising Journal.

First Gear Membership — Join here                                      $100

Six month membership available to your entire organization

“First Gear Membership” is designed specifically for individuals and groups considering starting a nonprofit, or who are in their first year of operations. This membership provides you with customized support to assist you in establishing your organization. “First Gear Membership” is only $100 per organization. Upgrade to a full Spokes membership within six months for an additional $150*.

  • 1:1 Consulting
    You’ll receive up to 2 (two) hours of one-on-one consultation to get rolling in the right direction. The focus of these sessions is to: guide you in deciding whether to start a nonprofit or seek fiscal sponsorship, help you understand the in’s and out’s of establishing a nonprofit, assist you in the incorporation process, and review your incorporation/exemption documents before you submit them.
  • Bylaw Template
    Receive template bylaws that you can adapt to meet your organization’s needs and submit as part of your incorporation process.
  • Spokes Resource Library
    Check-out books on fund development, board development, financial management, collaboration, personnel management, volunteer management and more.
  • Spokes Meeting Facilities
    Schedule your organization’s meetings in our private conference room – available weekdays, weekends, and evenings! Schedule in advance as availability is limited.

*free consulting hours offered in upgraded membership will be pro-rated based on total hours used in First Gear membership.


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Member Testimonial

“Many times you do not want to go to a meeting or conference or class, but you do anyway because you’re hoping to hear that one idea that can be truly beneficial. Every time I have gone to Spokes, I’ve come away with more than one of those ideas.  The resources they offer have been critical to the progress of our foundation. The experts they host have always been high caliber, and Spokes provided a direct connection to a grant writer who has helped us tremendously.”

Frank Kalman
Executive Director
Kids Cancer Research Foundation
San Luis Obispo, California

What Else Are Members Saying?

Become A Member

From big picture planning to the smallest question, Spokes is here to help.

Take a class. Speak with a consultant. Network with your peers. Access fundraising information, online learning opportunities, and other nonprofit resources.

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Spokes welcomes local professionals who would like to share their expertise in support of the nonprofit sector.

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Recent Articles

  • Low-Cost Professional Development Opportunities for Nonprofits
  • Conflicts of Interest
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